Community Reviews

2.5 stars rounded up for the voice to document all that chaos and abuse. And homicide.

The Wim, Sonja, Astrid childhood was 4.5 star- that emotionally depicted minutia of constant and eventual terrorism coupled with physical violence is the germination of many a monster. Its "escaping" evasion factors of habit within a child's mind and understanding to "parent" completely hit the marks of real.

But the last half of the book was always so much more of the same that it become difficult to continue2.5 stars rounded up for the voice to document all that chaos and abuse. And homicide.

The Wim, Sonja, Astrid childhood was 4.5 star- that emotionally depicted minutia of constant and eventual terrorism coupled with physical violence is the germination of many a monster. Its "escaping" evasion factors of habit within a child's mind and understanding to "parent" completely hit the marks of real.

But the last half of the book was always so much more of the same that it become difficult to continue such a length of dependency and family connective for a set of values as this, even in print.

I was shocked at the relative consequences of law breaking for this maximum level in the Netherlands and also the methods of "norm" for interrogation and assuming of guilt or innocence. It seems to me that this organization against organization crime family and association practice of decades lives as well as some others in Italy and Sicily. And that laws do not protect the innocent.

A few of the medical "norms" for treatments (trauma especially) also dismayed me. Free is not for me, if this is what "free" becomes.

And the hysteria and other "after the assassination" habits of the women seem nearly identical to the Italian variety too. I don't know why that surprised me, after so many years of taking some worst horrors (like the using of the small children as threatened targets) as "norm" and living a high monetary life habits/ style with all their men's proceeds.

Judas: een familiekroniek by Astrid Holleeder is a remarkable book. It is a very detailed and gripping first-hand account of life in a highly dysfunctional Dutch criminal amily. What makes it gripping is not so much the depiction of a career criminal milieu, though that in itself is fascinating. The value of the book for me is in its harrowing and utterly convincing portrait of two deeply oppressive men, Astrid's father and, above all, Astrid's brother, the notorious Dutch gangster, Wim HolleedeJudas: een familiekroniek by Astrid Holleeder is a remarkable book. It is a very detailed and gripping first-hand account of life in a highly dysfunctional Dutch criminal amily. What makes it gripping is not so much the depiction of a career criminal milieu, though that in itself is fascinating. The value of the book for me is in its harrowing and utterly convincing portrait of two deeply oppressive men, Astrid's father and, above all, Astrid's brother, the notorious Dutch gangster, Wim Holleeder. The book could serve as a case study in coercive control and its dreadful and long-lasting effects.

Wim Holleeder was the man behind the 1983 kidnapping of Freddy Heineken and his chauffeur, the ransom from which was never recovered. He was suspected of having subsequently commissioned the 'liquidations' of several of his associates, including his own brother-in-law, Cor van Hout. After much soul-searching Astrid and her sister Sonja - Cor's widow - went to the police to make witness statements which helped send Holleeder back to prison, where he is likely to remain for the rest of his life. (The subtitle of the English translation is How a Sister's Testimony Brought Down a Criminal Mastermind.) To back up her account, she secretly and at great personal risk recorded his elliptical conversations with her. As a result of the sisters' testimony, their lives are in danger from Wim Holleeder's vengeance. As I write this review in May 2019, Holleeder is awaiting the judges' verdict in his trial for a series of gangland murders.

Judas takes the form of a long memoir, ranging over different time periods going back to the 1970s, of the background to Astrid's decision to testify against Wim, and the consequences of that decision. She details her hard childhood in the working-class Amsterdam district of the Jordaan. Her father was a brutal tyrant who terrorised his wife - Astrid's mother - and their four children. The damage to the psyches of the family members was long-lasting. Astrid's older brother Wim, having entered the criminal world, became a more intelligent version of his father: self-absorbed, manipulative, charming and frightening by turns. Every subtle gambit of control over others for his own ends is pitilessly recorded here. So too is the range of psychological impacts on those caught up in his web - including Astrid who had sought to escape the influence of her brother by successfully training as a lawyer. Though the book is not a work of 'literature', it is immensely enlightening on the particulars of malign family dynamics. Astrid Holleeder has fully achieved the difficult feat of drawing the reader into this oppressive, closed and - to outsiders - incomprehensible world. Judas is published in English by John Murray in the UK....more

This story gives you insight in the way organised crime works. The author Astrid testified against her brother Willem, one of the masterbrains of the Dutch underworld and responsable for the famous Heineken abduction as well as the liquidation of friends and family. It is by no means great literature, but it got me hooked up cause it is a fascinating story on family, love and betrayal. The author, her sister and their friend deserve a lot of credit because of having found the courage to choose fThis story gives you insight in the way organised crime works. The author Astrid testified against her brother Willem, one of the masterbrains of the Dutch underworld and responsable for the famous Heineken abduction as well as the liquidation of friends and family. It is by no means great literature, but it got me hooked up cause it is a fascinating story on family, love and betrayal. The author, her sister and their friend deserve a lot of credit because of having found the courage to choose for the dangerous way out, by spying and testifying on everything that happened....more

This was a fascinating book about Dutch criminal Willem Holleeder and what it was like growing up as his sister. Astrid Holleeder was the youngest and she shares her experience growing up with a volatile father and a docile mother, her criminal brother, the Heineken kidnapping. extortion, contract killings, and more. I could feel the conflict Astrid experienced because on one hand her brother was a tyrant but on the other he was family and the good memories were mixed in with the bad. A very gooThis was a fascinating book about Dutch criminal Willem Holleeder and what it was like growing up as his sister. Astrid Holleeder was the youngest and she shares her experience growing up with a volatile father and a docile mother, her criminal brother, the Heineken kidnapping. extortion, contract killings, and more. I could feel the conflict Astrid experienced because on one hand her brother was a tyrant but on the other he was family and the good memories were mixed in with the bad. A very good read....more

I was intrigued by Astrid Holleeder's story which was recently featured in the New Yorker. She testified against her brother, Willem, in a murder case in the Netherlands. Now he wants to kill her and she is a prisoner in her own home. Miss Holleeder was brave to testify in court, but apparently, not brave enough to provide any credible details about the crime scene in her country (as a criminal lawyer, she would have insider knowledge.) She grew up with an abusive father, she tells us , but theI was intrigued by Astrid Holleeder's story which was recently featured in the New Yorker. She testified against her brother, Willem, in a murder case in the Netherlands. Now he wants to kill her and she is a prisoner in her own home. Miss Holleeder was brave to testify in court, but apparently, not brave enough to provide any credible details about the crime scene in her country (as a criminal lawyer, she would have insider knowledge.) She grew up with an abusive father, she tells us , but the details of her family life are missing. At one point in her story her brother has become a murderous gangster. How he got that way is left to the imagination. Finally, why didn't Astrid simply leave her country and escape years of torment as her brother's advisor? I simply found this memoir to be lacking in honesty and credibility....more

I had previously read about Astrid Holleeder in an article of The New Yorker. Immediately, I was intrigued by the story of a sister choosing to betray her brother, a notorious crime boss, and the danger she lives in. It was very clear that because of her choice, Astrid Holleeder lived every moment in fear she will be killed in retaliation of her betrayal.

After I read the article I knew I had to know more. About Astrid Holleeder, her brother, and more specifically, her journey to choose to testiI had previously read about Astrid Holleeder in an article of The New Yorker. Immediately, I was intrigued by the story of a sister choosing to betray her brother, a notorious crime boss, and the danger she lives in. It was very clear that because of her choice, Astrid Holleeder lived every moment in fear she will be killed in retaliation of her betrayal.

After I read the article I knew I had to know more. About Astrid Holleeder, her brother, and more specifically, her journey to choose to testify against the person she was closest to.

The minute I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. While Holleeder's writing style wasn't the best (and at some points, a little too theatrical), what drew my attention was her experiences. From her abusive upbringing to her unwilling involvement in the criminal underground, Holleeder's life is riddled with threats and impossible choices. I could feel my anxiety grow with her choices to betray her brother and work with the Justice Department to finally convict him for good. While I knew she'd be okay (she did end up writing a book, so she can't be dead), I still couldn't help but feel she'd suddenly be "liquidated" at any moment. That in the end, her brother will regain control over her life.

I also liked how raw Holleeder was with her feelings. At the end of the day, this story is about how a family was forced to turn on one of their own. The same brother that made her life a living hell for years was also the one to take care of her when her father refused to. Holleeder's choices were complex. As black and white as it might seem, there are nuances of a family that Holleeder was not afraid to be real about.

Judas was a thrilling read and I could understand why it was so popular in the Netherlands. This kind of memoir is unlike any other. If you love a read that will put you in suspense, Judas is definitely the book for you....more

I finally realized why this book was so popular in The Netherlands, even though everybody here already knows the story. It keeps you fixed till the end. And the story of Astrid Holleeder (and everybody that is connected with Wim) is sad, to say the least.

I just think they could have done a better job at editing the chronological and back and forth parts of the book. It was confusing at times. The translation could also have been done better, even with the quite simple language used in it.

3 starsI finally realized why this book was so popular in The Netherlands, even though everybody here already knows the story. It keeps you fixed till the end. And the story of Astrid Holleeder (and everybody that is connected with Wim) is sad, to say the least.

I just think they could have done a better job at editing the chronological and back and forth parts of the book. It was confusing at times. The translation could also have been done better, even with the quite simple language used in it.

You just gotta know all of it? So it reads easy. Even though it's not written that well. I feel sorry for her. For them. What crazy shit people get in their lives. Though i don't truly believe she is as easygoing as she wants to portray?

this book is a must read in my opinion, however, I'm not sure if it's published in other languages too? it's originally dutch so I don't know if it's also in English but if it is you should definitely read it, I've read it in 9 days and it's quite a big book, it's about a crime family/ case that was and still is really famous here so I loved reading it and seeing everything from the family's point of view. and if it was possible I'd rate this book far more than 5 out of 5 stars

Feels a little unfortunate that this is my 52nd book of the year (CHALLENGE MET WOO!), and I finished it on Christmas, and...it’s a true story about some psychotic jerk terrorizing his family.

Happy holidays, amirite?

Astrid Holleeder is the younger sister of Willem (Wim) Holleeder. Not being from the Netherlands I had never heard of him, but it sounds like he ran around in a criminal network not unlike the Italian mafia. Astrid paints him as charismatic but cruel to those who knew him intimatelyFeels a little unfortunate that this is my 52nd book of the year (CHALLENGE MET WOO!), and I finished it on Christmas, and...it’s a true story about some psychotic jerk terrorizing his family.

Happy holidays, amirite?

Astrid Holleeder is the younger sister of Willem (Wim) Holleeder. Not being from the Netherlands I had never heard of him, but it sounds like he ran around in a criminal network not unlike the Italian mafia. Astrid paints him as charismatic but cruel to those who knew him intimately. Her life in particular was dictated by his moods - she had to be ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice and attend to him. Not doing this put her at risk of being killed.

Because Wim was so clever the multiple murders he helped commit (including that of his brother in law) couldn’t be traced back to him. It was only through Astrid wearing a wire and basically getting Wim to admit his involvement that enabled him to be jailed for his crimes.

Judas is a compelling story. A good portion of the book delves into Astrid’s (and Wim’s) childhood. Their father was an abusive alcoholic who Wim emulated on a much bigger scale. This was by far the most interesting, and the most linear, part of the book.

When the story switches to the years 2000 onward events and people start jumping around in time, which got confusing. The writing becomes a bit more stilted -even though most of the latter half of the book is a direct transcription of recorded conversations. It’s unfortunately impossible to know if the author or the English translator is responsible for the awkward phrasing but either way, it’s distracting and tedious.

It feels heartless to dismiss someone’s memoir - especially when they’ve obviously lived a hard life - but I can’t recommend this. It needed a better editor, and a little more finesse in the telling. Astrid is obviously an incredibly resilient human being but any readers truly interested in her story could get just as much information from a newspaper article with a significantly smaller time investment. 3 stars. ...more

It may in part be the fact that the book is translated from Dutch. Or just "very Dutch." Or, that the author is not a writer by profession. But, it is not a good read. I basically knew the "plot" going in, and the ending more or less, but, it took a long, repetitive time to get there. And though I have never recorded conversations with my brother with the intent of turning him in to legal authorities, neither is my brother a psychopathic killer or a stalker, a really, truly terrible person, someIt may in part be the fact that the book is translated from Dutch. Or just "very Dutch." Or, that the author is not a writer by profession. But, it is not a good read. I basically knew the "plot" going in, and the ending more or less, but, it took a long, repetitive time to get there. And though I have never recorded conversations with my brother with the intent of turning him in to legal authorities, neither is my brother a psychopathic killer or a stalker, a really, truly terrible person, someone who pout a contract out on and consistently threatened and stalked and made the author's and other member of her family's live's terrifying and unlivable. So I did not and do no understand why it was so difficult for Astrid to turn her brother in to authorities, nor why she professes to still regret it. According to recent news reports, her second book resulted in her and her family receiving extensive witness protection and she now lives in hiding. The trial of that brother, Willem, on the murder charges, started in 2017, and is on going. He became a sort of folk hero amongst the Dutch, and initially there were long lines of people who came in from around the world, and an 63 accredited journalists, to attend the trial. That interested has apparently dwindled as more facts of his illegal and horrible activities has been divulged.But back to the book: read the recent New Yorker article, and other on line articles. Don't waste your time on the book. It is just not a good use of your time....more

True story of a Dutch family whose oldest sibling becomes a famous criminal. The youngest sister becomes a lawyer, trying to do some good while still maintaining a relationship with her sociopathic brother. All relationships in the extended family are based on fear of the the brother. Only in her 50s is the author able to risk almost certain retaliation and death by testifying against this criminal mastermind who has had many people murdered, including his own brother-in-law. The book starts byTrue story of a Dutch family whose oldest sibling becomes a famous criminal. The youngest sister becomes a lawyer, trying to do some good while still maintaining a relationship with her sociopathic brother. All relationships in the extended family are based on fear of the the brother. Only in her 50s is the author able to risk almost certain retaliation and death by testifying against this criminal mastermind who has had many people murdered, including his own brother-in-law. The book starts by chronicling the dysfunctional family in which the four siblings grew up, everyone terrorized by by a phenomenally abusive father. It’s not hard to see where the toxic genes of the father found fertile ground in the son.

But the writing is awkward (perhaps partially owing to the translation) and after a while the descriptions of the various relationships get repetitive. One wonders how the author could lead such a double life. All the way through she maintains that in spite of everything she loves her brother. At times I found myself actually yelling aloud at her in frustration. How can she continue to profess her love for this monster - and why should we care?...more

Having followed the career, crimes and trials of Wim Holleeder in the Dutch press for many years I was so looking forward to this book. Sadly I was extremely disappointed. It crawled along for 400 pages telling a story which could easily have been covered in 200 listing every time Holleeder rang and met his sister and every 'gun' gesture. I am still trying to work out if the early life of the Holleeder children under their drunken violent father was described at length to illustrate the reason fHaving followed the career, crimes and trials of Wim Holleeder in the Dutch press for many years I was so looking forward to this book. Sadly I was extremely disappointed. It crawled along for 400 pages telling a story which could easily have been covered in 200 listing every time Holleeder rang and met his sister and every 'gun' gesture. I am still trying to work out if the early life of the Holleeder children under their drunken violent father was described at length to illustrate the reason for the eldest son's criminal career or the cause of the two sister's strange early adult lifestyle. The translation from the Dutch mentioned by other readers was fine with one exception. I hope never to have to read the Americanism 'gotten' ever again having suffered a lifetime's exposure in this one book culminating with its use three times in one paragraph on page 395. I had planned to read Ms Holleeder's second book 'Diary of a Witness' but life's too short. Whilst it captured a feeling of the gangster life of Wim Holleeder and his many associates in Amsterdam's underworld sadly this book, which promised much, delivered little...more

Yes, it is her side of the story. And ofcourse she has done nothing wrong. Whys should she incriminate herself? Yet, somehow I do believe most of what she tells us in this book. More interesting is ofcourse, what the writer does not tell us about herself or the enviroment, the 'milieu' of the Amsterdam crimescene. What were her benefitts, did they weigh up against the fear of being victimized herself, why did she turn eventually? But still it remains a most remarkable book about one person and oYes, it is her side of the story. And ofcourse she has done nothing wrong. Whys should she incriminate herself? Yet, somehow I do believe most of what she tells us in this book. More interesting is ofcourse, what the writer does not tell us about herself or the enviroment, the 'milieu' of the Amsterdam crimescene. What were her benefitts, did they weigh up against the fear of being victimized herself, why did she turn eventually? But still it remains a most remarkable book about one person and one family that throughout the last forty, fifty years has been in and out of the Dutch news. And if we want to learn about any new chapters to add to this book, we just have to switch on the television and watch the six o'clock news. Let's hope it will bring only good news for the writer, for that will be good news for all of us in Holland!...more

It looks like if this second book of Astrid Holleeder was written out of a financial thought.OK, if all this is actual true, I sympathize with Astrid and I absolutely do understand the reason why she wrote this sequel. She expose the bureaucracy of the Dutch justice department and the way how the civil servants must act just of be course of that. To catch a thief is one thing, but to get the criminal convicted is an other thing.'Dagboek van een getuige' does not read that easy as the first bookIt looks like if this second book of Astrid Holleeder was written out of a financial thought.OK, if all this is actual true, I sympathize with Astrid and I absolutely do understand the reason why she wrote this sequel. She expose the bureaucracy of the Dutch justice department and the way how the civil servants must act just of be course of that. To catch a thief is one thing, but to get the criminal convicted is an other thing.'Dagboek van een getuige' does not read that easy as the first book 'Judas'. Sometimes is was even a bit boring....more

I give this a 4 minus star. Manipulative, cunning, charming, dangerous, duplicitous, threatening, liar, double crosser.....sound like anyone in the US? Some of the tactics Astrid Holleeder's brother, Willem, uses to maintain control of all those around him, sounds like our current president. The author/sister, Astrid Holleeder uses these same tactics to send her brother to prison for life.

There were some problems with reading this narrative which shifted temporally between the past and the presI give this a 4 minus star. Manipulative, cunning, charming, dangerous, duplicitous, threatening, liar, double crosser.....sound like anyone in the US? Some of the tactics Astrid Holleeder's brother, Willem, uses to maintain control of all those around him, sounds like our current president. The author/sister, Astrid Holleeder uses these same tactics to send her brother to prison for life.

There were some problems with reading this narrative which shifted temporally between the past and the present, in a rather awkward manner....more

I listened to the audiobook version of the book, and I must say, it was great. The narrator, Naomi Frederick did a fantastic job, and her accent is so nice, it’s like it added more to the actual book. Overall, this entire book had my head spinning. I can’t believe that the innocent members of the Holleeder family had to endure so much injustice, stress, and cruelty from fellow family members and even the justice system. Hats off to the women of this family who didn’t murder the terrible men of tI listened to the audiobook version of the book, and I must say, it was great. The narrator, Naomi Frederick did a fantastic job, and her accent is so nice, it’s like it added more to the actual book. Overall, this entire book had my head spinning. I can’t believe that the innocent members of the Holleeder family had to endure so much injustice, stress, and cruelty from fellow family members and even the justice system. Hats off to the women of this family who didn’t murder the terrible men of their family - I would never have had the patience to endure so much. ...more

Imagine The Sopranos meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in Astrid Holleeder’s memoir, Judas, the shockingly sensational and suspenseful story of the taking down of her brutal bully of a brother, Wim. Known as The Nose, Wim ruled the Amsterdam underworld with an iron fist, killing anyone standing in his way. Including his own family. Until he threatened the wrong woman. Determined to bring his reign to an end, Astrid, who is currently in hiding, rigged up a wire tap and went to work. Will AstrImagine The Sopranos meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in Astrid Holleeder’s memoir, Judas, the shockingly sensational and suspenseful story of the taking down of her brutal bully of a brother, Wim. Known as The Nose, Wim ruled the Amsterdam underworld with an iron fist, killing anyone standing in his way. Including his own family. Until he threatened the wrong woman. Determined to bring his reign to an end, Astrid, who is currently in hiding, rigged up a wire tap and went to work. Will Astrid return to her regular life as a lawyer or is she destined to pay the consequences of her double cross for the rest of her life? The jury is still out…...more

This chronicle gives you a insight in how things can go wrong in the life of a clever young man if the parenthood isn't optimal. When I read this book I counted my blessing regarding my youth. Also the way of life of a criminal and the effect of it to his family is stunning! Although I do realize that this book is a one-way story, you automatically choose side of the author.It was nice and easy to read

The writing wasn’t great, but I found myself strangely enthralled in the way she put certain things in words. I related to a lot of the feelings of being taken hostage by a larger than life member of one’s family and she had some straightforward wisdom associated with that kind of complicated relationship where you love your abuser so profoundly all while trying to get out alive.

Don't get confused by the Dutch. I read the English translated version. I had no idea about any of this happening in the Netherlands, but I was amazed at what I read. This book chronicles the family story of the Holleeders, a family who produced a Dutch criminal mastermind. This is the memoir of the sister of the mastermind. A great book for lovers of true crime and mystery!

I was really surprised. Especially while I didn't realised how our Justice department works: they don't protect the innocent witnesses. While they pamper the criminal crown witnesses. Shame on you.Astrid Holleeder takes you with her in her battle. You hope never to get in such a situation as she is in.

A book that gives a clear insight into the life of Astrid Holleeder, from the moment she decides to become a witness to put her criminal brother behind bars. It becomes painfully obvious that the testimony against her brother makes a prisoner of her. Her life changes drastically and it is sad to see how much she has to sacrifice.

Perhaps I'd have been more interested if I'd been from the Netherlands. I'd never heard of this family. While it was interesting to see how father and son created such dysfunctional family dynamics, and how two sisters dealt with it, I'd really rather have read it in a 20 page article.

Her father and brother are both so horrible that it was hard to read this. Astrid is incredibly brave and strong. Thank god that bastard Wim is in jail. Hope he stays there forever. I tried to read her second book “Diary of a Witness,” but it doesn’t seem to have been translated to English.

I couldn't really get into the book. The story was told in a non-chronological order, so that was very frustrating for me. Also, I'm generally not really a fan of memoirs, but I wanted to give this one a try.

First, this story is weird. Other than the kidnapping I didn't really understand what this life of crime was. I also didn't understand anyone's behaviour. Second, I don't know if it's poorly written or poorly translated. The language used is odd and awkward.

Astrid Holleeder is a Dutch lawyer and author. She is a sister of criminal Willem Holleeder and together with her older sister and an ex-girlfriend of Willem she witnessed her brother in the Passage process.

In 2016 she published the book Judas, about the relationship with her brother Willem, his dominance over their family and the influence of his life in the criminal circuit on his immediate envAstrid Holleeder is a Dutch lawyer and author. She is a sister of criminal Willem Holleeder and together with her older sister and an ex-girlfriend of Willem she witnessed her brother in the Passage process.

In 2016 she published the book Judas, about the relationship with her brother Willem, his dominance over their family and the influence of his life in the criminal circuit on his immediate environment....more